The origin of idolatry is by many attributed to the age of Eber, though
most of the fathers place it no higher than that of Serug; but it
appears to me certain, that image worship existed in the time of Jacob,
from the account of Rachel taking images along with her on leaving her
father's house, which is given in the book of Genesis.

T.C.C.

* * * * *


ORIGIN OF THE WORD GALLIMATHIAS.


This word, which signifies nonsense, _alias_ talk without meaning, is
supposed to have first arisen at the time when all pleadings at the bar
were in Latin. There was a cause, it seems, about a cock, belonging to
the plaintiff Matthias; the counsel, in the heat of the harangue, by
often repeating the words _gallus_ and _Matthias_, happened to blunder,
and, instead of saying _gallus Matthiae_, said _galli Matthias_, which
at length became a general name for all confused, embroiled language and
discourse.

P.T.W.

* * * * *